Eleven days before the October 7 attack by Hamas, Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel made a covert visit to Israel to deliver a warning about an impending large-scale assault, according to an investigation published recently. The visit occurred on September 26, 2023, when senior Israeli officials gathered in Jerusalem to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War.
Kamel arrived aboard a chartered Cessna aircraft linked to Egyptian intelligence, which landed at Ben-Gurion Airport. The plane was directed to an isolated section of the airport designated for sensitive diplomatic and security operations. During this clandestine meeting, Kamel reportedly informed Israeli leaders that Hamas was orchestrating a significant attack and emphasized the narrowing window to prevent further escalation.
This warning, conveyed directly by the head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Directorate, highlights the intelligence cooperation between Israel and Egypt prior to the attack. The exact details of the conversations have not been publicly disclosed, but the timing and nature of the warning suggest that Egyptian officials sought to alert Israel about imminent threats emerging from Gaza.
Israeli officials have not publicly confirmed the specifics of the meeting or its contents. The revelations come amid ongoing scrutiny of intelligence assessments and preparedness in Israel ahead of the unprecedented October 7 assault, which resulted in substantial casualties and a major escalation in cross-border conflict.
The disclosure underscores the complex and sometimes covert channels of communication between Israel and Egypt, historically adversaries who have maintained a peace agreement since 1979. Intelligence collaboration between the two countries has often been a crucial factor in managing security along their shared border with Gaza.
How Israeli authorities acted on this warning remains unclear as investigations into intelligence failures continue. Analysts suggest that the Egyptian alert could have presented an opportunity to strengthen Israel’s defensive posture before the Hamas operation unfolded, but whether actions were taken in response is still under examination.
This development adds to the broader discussion on regional intelligence dynamics and the challenges faced by Israel in anticipating and countering threats emanating from militant groups in Gaza. It also illustrates the ongoing role of Egypt as a key interlocutor in the efforts to maintain stability and facilitate communication in the volatile Israel-Gaza border area.